Masonic And General Tidings.

Masonic and General Tidings .

THE REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING of the Committee of Management of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution will be held at Freemasons' Hall on Wednesday , the I ith inst ., It 4 p . m . ' BRO . SINCLAIR , the Archdeacon of London , will be canon in residence at St . Paul ' s during the month cf November , and will preach . on Sunday afternoons at the quarter-past three service .

THE DUKE AND DUCHESS OE TECK have promised their patronage to the annual matinee of the Theatrical Charities' Association , which will take place at the Garrick Theatre on Thursday , the 19 th inst . H . R . H . THE PRINCE OF WALES has been Barrister-at-Iaw and Bencher of the Honourable Society of the Middle Temple for 35 years , having been called to the Bar and elected a bencher on the 31 st October , 1 SG 1 .

AT THE ELECTION of officers at the Society of Architects , St . James ' s Hill , Piccadilly , Bro . H . Lovegrove , G . S . B ., headed the poll , and next came Bro . Walter Emden , P . G . Steward , and they will be the Vice-Presidents for the coming year . THIS YEAR Hastings will again be visited by the Provincial Grand Lodge of Sussex . The annual meeting is fiited to take place in the Town HaU on Wednesday , the 25 th inst . It is fully expected that H . R . H . the Duke of Connaught , P . G . M ., will preside .

PRINCESS CHRISTIAN and her daughters , Princess Victoria , and Princess Aribert of Anhalt , attended an afternoon dramatic performance , given under the special patronage of the Queen , at the Albert Institute , Windsor , on Tuesday , in aid of the Princess Christian ' s Nurses' Home .

THE NEXT performance of Ihe Elizabethan Stage Society will take p lace in Mei chant Taylors' Hall , on the afternoon of Saturday , the 28 th inst ., the play selected being " The Two Gentlemen of Verona . " This will be the first performance which has taken place in a City Company ' s hall within the memory of the present generation . IN CONNECTION WITH the recent visit of the Emperor and Empress of Russia to Balmoral , the Queen has been pleased to appoint Count Paul Benkendorf , Master of the Emperor ' s Household , to the Honorary Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Older . Her Majesty has also made several other appointments to the minor grades of the same Order .

BY ROYAL WARRANT , her Majesty the Queen has been graciously pleased to grant to Bro . Baton de Bush her Royal licence and authority to bear and use in this country Ihe hereditary title and dignity of Baron , conferred upon him by his Highness the late Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha , and has directed that such licence be recorded in the College ot Arms .

THE HOLBORN RESTAURANT , whilst greatly enlarging their premises , opened a new grill room in the extension on the 2 nd inst . The room , which is most lavishly decorated , is the best of its kind in London , and a new feature has been added in the form ot a 2 s . Cd . Table d'hote Grill Lunch , which will undoubtedly prove to be extremely popular .

WE ARE GLAD to hear lhat Bro . the Duke and Duchess of Bedford are recovering from their recent carriage accident , but they are both obliged to move about with the aid ot ci utches , and it will probably be some time before the Duchess , who was seriously hurt by being dashed against a tree when the carriage was overturned , wi'l be able to move without their assistance .

THE DUKE AND DUCHESS OF YORK will be the guests- of Bro . the Duke and Duchess of Portland at Welbeck Abbey during the second week of December , and a distinguished party of guests has been invited to meet their Royal Highnesses . At the conclusion of thi ii visit the Duke and Duchess will drive from Welbeck to Mansfi = ld where they will make a shott stoppage in order that they may be presented with an address .

WEDNESDAY WAS THE 194 th anniversary of the death of Admiral Benbow , who died at Kingston , Jamaica , on the 4 th November , 1702 , from wounds received in his memorable action with the French off Carthagena , in the West Indies , and Shrewsbury , his native town , did honour to his memory by placing wreath , of laurel on his monument in St . Mary ' s Chuich , and on thc old painting which hangs in the local National History Museum .

THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF , Bro . Lord Wclseley , visited Bethnal Green on Saturday evening last , and at the invitation of Colonel Whetherley and his officers , opened the new headquarters in Victoria Park-square , of the Tower Hamlets Royal Engineer Volunteers . His lordship was accompanied by Brj . Lord Methuen , General Webber , and Captain Freemantle , A . D . C , and at the conclusion of the address he delivered , was heartily thanked by Colonel Whetherley on behalf of the regiment .

H . R . H . THE PRINCE OF WALES , accompanied by the Duke of York , the Duke of Saxe-Coburg Gotha , Prince Charles of Denmark , Bro . the Maharajah of Cooch-Bshar , the Earls of Pembroke and Cadogan , ani Bro . Sir Henry Keppel shot through the Sancringham preseives on Tuesday , and were joined at luncheon by H . R . H . the Princess of Wales , the Duchess of York , Princess Charles of Denmark , Princess Victoria , the Countess of Pembroke , Countess Cadogan , and other ladies . .

THE DUCHESS OF TECK , attended by Miss Tufnell , opened a large bazaar in aid of the Building Fund of the Victoria Working Men ' s Club , Sandycombe-road , Kew , on Tuesday . Among those present to receive the Duchess were Bro . Sir J . Wnittaker Ellis , Bart ., and Lady Ellis , Sir J . and Lady Salumpcr , and the Mayor and Mayoress of Richmond . Before leaving , her Royal Highness attended a concert and visited a museu-n of local curiosities . On Wednesday the bazaar was opened by Bro . Lord and Lady Charles Beresford .

HUGHAN ' S " OLD CHARGES . "—Onl y two or three copies are left of Bro . Hughan ' s "Old Charges of British Freemasons" ( 1895 ) , at 12 s . 6 d . each , net . The volume is r ally now out of print , and like all Bro . Hughan ' s works , is being quoted at a premium by second-hand booksellers . "A word to o tle wise" should bi enough , and especially to Honorary Librarians of lodges , who should secure copies whilst they may be had at reasonable cost from our Office , 16 , Great Queen-street . We shall be glad of reports of Bro . Hughan ' s other works that are for sale .

H . R . H . THE PRINCE OF WALES , attended by General Ellis , Bros . Lord Suffield and Sir Francis Knollys , left town for Sandringham on Saturday last . Among those who travelled by the same train as his Royal Highness were Bro . Christopher Sykes , Bro . the Hon . Sir E . Monson , the British Ambassador at Paris , the Hon . Michael Herbert , Secretary of Embassy at Constantinople , and Bro . Sir F . Abel . H . R . H . the Princess

of Wales , Princess Victoria , and Prince and Princess Charles of Denmark met the Prince on his arrival , while the Duke of York joined the party later . On Monday the party of guests was augmented by the arrival of the Duke of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha , Bro . the Maharajah of Cooch-Behar , the Earl of Pembroke ( Lord Steward of the Household ) and the Countess of Pembroke , Earl Cadogan ( Lord Lieutenant of Ireland ) and thi Ci unless Cadogan , and Admiral of the Fleet , Bro . Sir Henry Keppel , G . C . B .

" 1 DREAMT THAT I DWELT IN MARBLE HALLS" will be the pleasing fancy to every one who first crosses the threshold of the gorgeous Trocadero Restaurant , which now holds such a proud and enviable position in the " New London " starting into life round and about Piccadilly Circus . But instead of the " vassals and serfs " of the old song we shall lind a warm and hospitable welcome from the courteous and spirited proprietors , Messrs . J . f-yons and Co ., Limited , and the proverbial attention and personal cemfort ever extended to the public by these well-known caterers and

restaurateurs . The basement floor is devoted to the grill room , with the buffet , smoking , leading , and billiard rot ms . The entrance floor is occupied by the grand restaurant , with its golden minstrel and great gallery in the style of Louis Quatorze , and attached to the gold hall and gallery is a splendid adjacent saloon in the style of Louis Quinze . Small but deliciously cosy dining rooms surround these splendid public rooms . The lirst floor of the new Trocadero is another welcome surprise , consisting as it does of a

ball room , a banqueting hall in the Empire period—a most admirable reproduction—and an ante-room in the style of Louis Treize . On the gallery level , at the top of the grand staircase , will be found a reception room , again in the style of Louis Treiz ;; a magnif . cent Masonic lodge in the period of Francois Premier , with , of course , the n : cessary ante-rccms for the comfcrt and convenience of the brethren of the Craft . Full particulars can be had on application at the Trocadero , Piccadilly Circus .

Masonic And General Tidings.

PIELU-MAKSHAL H . R . H . THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE entered upon the flolh yeat of his military service on Tuesday , having been gazetted as Colonel in the Army on the 3 rd November , 1837 . BRO . S . B . BANCROFT ' reading of Charles Dickens ' s " Christmas Carol , " in aid of Ihe Cancer Ward of the Middlesex Hjspital , will ta' < e place on Monday , the 23 rd not on Tuesday , the 24 th inst . ~ '

H . INOUR FOR THE LORD MAYOR . —We are informed that the Queen has appointed the Lord Mayor ( Bro . Sir Walter Wilkin ) to be a Knight Commander of the Order of St . Michael and St . George . BRO . LORD AND LADY PIRBRIGHT ' party to meet Bro . the Duke and Duchess of Connaught will assemble at Henley Park , Pirbright , on Tuesday , the 17 th , instead of on Monday , the i 6 : h inst ., as previously arranged .

THE MEETING of the Farmers' Club in Salisbury-square , E . G ., was held on Monday , and was numerously attended , the chair being occupied by Mr . Frederic Street " while among those present were Mr . Clare Read and Bro . Arthur Pell . ' THE WEST LONDON AMATEUR DRAMATIC CLUB have arranged to give an entertainment at St . George ' s Hall on the 3 rd December in aid of the funds of University College Hospital , which at the present time has the misfortune to be in debt to its tradesmen and bankers to the extent of £ 15 , 000 .

1 HE FINAL TIE in the competition for the National Life-Saving Shield wis decided at the St , George ' s Baths , Buckingham Palace-road , on Saturday last , when , after a splendid contest , victory was declared in favour of the London and India Dock ( the holders ) by 96 points to 95 1 points made by Coventry . THE ANNUAL DINNER ofthe North Borneo Company was held at the Hjtel Cecil on Tuesday evening , under the presidency of Bro . R . B . Martin , M . P ., among the principal guests present being Bro . the Marquis of Tweeddale , Sir Charles Jessel , Rear-Admiral Leicester Keppel , Col . Turner , and Sir Hugh Low .

THE LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL has appointed a Committee , with the Vice-President of ihe Committee of Council on Education as Chairman , to consider the mode in which the grants made to Science and Art Schools are distributed , and to report if it is desirable to make any alteration thereon . A FINE ORGAN , both in appearance and quality of tone , has been erected in the Scotch Church , Camden-road . by Messrs . Bishop and Son , from a specification prepared by Bro . Dr . Warwick Jordan ( professor of the organ at the Guildhall School of Music ) , who superintended its erection , and who gave the opening recital to a crowded congregation on Wednesday evening .

_ BRO . PASSMORE EDWARDS has intimated to the Tottenham District Council tha ! he is willing to provide funds for the erection of a free public library and reading-rooms in the southern portion of Tottenham , providing a site is found . Bro . Edwards opened the Central Library and Reading-rooms situate near the High Cross early in this year , when he gave a large contribution of books .

THE NATIONAL CHRYSANTHEMUM SOCIETY held its jubilee show at the Royal Aquarium during the present week . It was opened on Tuesday , and will remain open till this ( Friday ) evening . Quite a number of special prizes were awarded on the occasion , a quantity of jubilee medals being struck off in lieu of ordinary prizes , the value of the awards being over ^ 1000 , of which one quarter is given by the Aquarium .

BRO . LORD GEORGE HAMILTON , M . P ., who was accompanied by Lady George Hamilton , re-opened , on Tuesday , the Stepney Parish Chuich Day Schools , which were founded in 1724 , and have just been re-built by voluntary subscripti-ins . In the course of the proceedings , Lady George Hamilton unveiled a tablet dedicated to the memory of certain deceased treasurers . A vote of thanks was passed by acclamation to Bro . Lord and Lady George Hamilton for their presence on the occasion .

THE LADY MAYORESS ( Lady Wilkin ) held htr final reception at the Mansion House on 1 uesday afternoon , but previous to the gatnering a deputation of members of the Corporation waited upjn her ladyship and presented her with a diamond crescent as a souvenir of her residence in the City and as a mark of the esteem and regard felt for her and the Lord Mayor in civic circles . The presentation was made b y the C . iief Commoner and gracefully acknowledged by the Lord Mayor ( Bro . Sir W . Wilkin ) .

AMONG THOSE who attended the interment of the remains of Lord Alexander Paget in the family vault at Lichfield Cathedral on Saturday last were Lady Alexander Paget ithe widow ) and Mr . Charles Paget ( the son ) , Lord and Lady Beikeley Paget , the Marchioness of Hastings , the Eulot Kjinney , Viscount Combermere , the Eirlof Home , Lord George Scott , and Bro . Lord Bur : on . Simultaneousl y with the funeral at Lichfield , a memorial service was held in St . Peter ' s , Eaton-square , which was numerously attended by relatives and friends of the deceased .

THE ALDERSGATE LITERARY SOCIETY . —This scciety met on Tuesday at iSG , Aldersgate-street . The discussion was opened in a spirited address by the President , Bro . the Rev . T . Selby Henrey , who moved as a resolution— " l'hat this meeting is of opinion that woman is , mentally , not only man ' s equal , but in many respects his superior . " Bro . Henrey , who met with a very cordial reception , disposed in a gallant manner of the stock arguments of those who admire women only for their domestic virtues , and drew attention to great female characters in history from Eve to Oueen Victoria . ~

IN CONNECTION with the celebrations which are contemplated next year in honour of the Queen ' s long reign , it h is been arranged that a fe : e and fancy fair shall be held in the Botanical Gardens from 21 st to 25-. l 1 June , in aid of the funds of the Victoria Hospital for Children , Chelsea . Their Koyal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales have already graciously signified their intention of bestowing their patronage upon it , while among the ladies who liave announced that they will personally hold stalls are the Du . hessof Sutherland , the Countess Cadogan , the Countess of Aylcsford , Viscountess Chelsea , Lady Harris , and many others .

ST . PAUL ' CATHEDRAL . —The Dean and Chapter of our Metropolitical Church are again trying an experiment in the lighting of this vast edifice . The present system —the standards in the nave and the jets at the top of the quarter-arches of the domeis totally inadequate , and moreover the jets of gas are not only destroying the stonework , but very seriously injuring the splendid mosaics which surround the dome . It is

proposed to use incandescent gas , and the authorities are having large globes with five burners to each suspended from the top of the columns of the quarter-arches with a view of spreading a more beautiful and effective light around . It is to be hoped that the experiment will prove to be a greater success than that of the electric light , which was provisionally tried some year or so back .

" JOHANNIS" NATURAL TABLE WATER—J OHANNIS SPRINGS , ZOLLHAUS ( GERMANY ) . —Prominent amongst the many concerns actively workin / to supply the demand now existing and increasing for a pure and reliable natural table water is that which controls the extensive spring at Zollhaus in Germany , and has offices at 25 , Regent-street , S . W ., besides large stores in different parts of London . The h gh reputation which ' Johannis " has obtained as a table water , and from its soothing properties and freshness , its peculiar suitability for invalids and thos ; suffering from dyspepsia ,

gout , rheumatism , torpid liver , or weak digestion , is due , perhaps , in the lirst instance , to the care with which the high properties of their springs are guarded , and , in tae next place , to the scientific principles on which the water and carbo . iic gas is collected and bottled . The Zollhaus Springs are so highly charged in carbonic acid gas that the company find it necessary to draw off some ot their abundance to be utilised for other purposes than thi juration of their own natural water . They can then place on tne market that which has been aptly termed " The King of Table Waters , "

an article clear and pleasing to the eye , and lively and sparkling , and , therefore , refreshing and agreeable to the palate . " Johannis" has the peculiarity of retaining an equality of temperature at all seasons . A special commissioner was recently appointed by the Lancet to examine the springs and thoroughly test the products ot the company . 1 ' he result has been eminently gritifying , if not indeed flattering to them , and the report proves njt only tne richness of

the water in all the virtues claimed for it , but also its entire reliability and keeping qualities . The gold medals awarded to the company at diff erent exhioitions ars no less value as testimon / in its favour than the chorus of medical rec im nend ituns wit 1 ivniOi it has been received in all directions . In September , 1895 , his Rjyal Hignness tne Prin « of Wales paid a special visit to the company ' s springs and expressed His delight with what he saw there , and his afpreciation of the " Johannis " taole waters , & c . It may be added that the company aiso hold the Queen ' s special warrant for supply of that product to her Majesty ' s household .